Here’s your news flash for the day: This is a pretty hard time for a lot of people, so the word “help” is taking on a more personal meaning for a lot more people than it used to – Very personal – And in my world, “help” is not a political thing, it’s about folks getting from one day to the next, and that just as easy as it used to be.
One of the forms of “help” that comes up in my world is Social Security “disability” – Now, WAIT A MINUTE! I know that there are images and clichés about people on Disability building fences and playing racquetball, and I know that Social Security Disability has a legendary reputation for being almost impossible to actually get on! I also know that neither of those are true.
Is there anyone on Disability who shouldn’t be? Probably; there are also people who lie about having earned military honors – So it goes – But not most.
And Yes, Disability can be tough to access, but not as bad as you might think IF you think, and do it calmly, slowly, 1-step-at-a-time. If you need that help to get from one day to the next, and you think of it as your “job” AND you legitimately qualify, it is doable. Listen:
If you’re not able to work because of a medical condition that’s expected to last at least one year or result in death, you might be in this ballpark (And Yes: Some people are on Social Security Disability for a while, get better, go back to work and get OFF of Disability). If this is sounding like you, apply for Disability benefits AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because this can take three to five months, on average. If the “disability” is anything other than blindness and your earnings are averaging $1,010 per month in 2012, you can go ahead and apply.
Generally, you’re going to need:
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of ever doctor, hospital, clinic, therapist whomever who has had anything to do with this condition, and the dates they saw you (or you saw them);
- Names and dosages of medications;
- Medical records that you may already have in your possession;
- Lab and test results;
- A summary of where all you worked and the kind of work you did.
Do NOT wait to apply for benefits because you don’t have all of this, because Social Security can and will help you get it. The quickest and easiest way to apply for Disability is to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability - Get those wheels turning! Of course, you can also go into a Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213.
And if you just need to learn more about all of this, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/disability where you’ll find a cool little “Disability Starter Kit” (No, I’m not kidding) where you can learn a whole lot, real quick.
Good luck!
…and speaking of “good luck,” as many of us are keenly aware, Kitsap Physician’s Service is ceasing to be, and that is NOT good news, for a whole lot of reasons, not the least of which is attempting to navigate the predator-infested, obstacle course/minefield of finding alternative insurance. I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any easy answers, but I do have a couple of things you need to know.
Governor Gregoire signed Senate Bill 6412 (reference RCW 48.43.018 (1)(i)), that basically says that if you’re seeking an individual health plan because your current carrier is discontinuing coverage by July 1, 2012, you can avoid having to complete the dreaded “health questionnaire” if:
- You apply within 90 days of your current plan shutting down;
- You had at least 24 months of continuous coverage prior to the shutting down, and
- …the benefits you had are equal-to-or-greater-than the ones you’re wanting to purchase.
Did you get that? NO HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE!
Now, reference RCW 48.43.018 (4)(b) that basically says that a NEW carrier shall credit an applicant’s (you) period of coverage in a preceding catastrophic health plan.”…toward any preexisting condition waiting period…” (Italics mine) if:
- The preceding plan shut down by July 1, 2012;
- You were enrolled in the preceding plan for the 63-day period immediately preceding your application for the new policy, and…
- …the benefits you had are equal-to-or-greater-than the ones you’re wanting to purchase.
Did you get that? You might be able to beat the “preexisting condition waiting period!”
And did you notice what is absolutely vital in both of these happy little maneuvers? DON’T DITHER ABOUT! If you’re not working on this already, start working on it NOW! And if you need help, call any of the numbers at the end of this column and they’ll help you, without making you feel like an idiot. You’re not.
No, I’m sorry to say, I don’t know why everything seems to be so complicated, anymore, but I sure know that feeling; nonetheless, here we are, and wringing our hands over it while we paralyze ourselves into doing nothing will accomplish exactly that: Nothing.
We didn’t get “here” because we were afraid. We got here because we did what had to be done to take care of ourselves and our families.
That hasn’t changed.
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